Human Resources Generalist

Brenntag; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Education assistance

Employee assistance program

Healthcare options

401(k)

Job summary

Brenntag is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to support defined regions within Brenntag Mid-South. The role provides guidance on employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, benefits, performance management, and compliance across the employee lifecycle.

Responsibilities include HR operations, advisory support, and participation in continuous improvement of HR programs. Ideal candidates have HR education and experience with Workday and MS Office, in a multi-region environment.

Job description

The Human Resources Generalist supports core Human Resources functions for a defined region within Brenntag Mid‑South. This role delivers comprehensive HR support across the employee lifecycle, ensuring policies, programs, and processes are applied consistently, compliantly, and with a strong focus on employee experience. The Human Resources Generalist serves as a primary HR resource for employees and managers, providing guidance on employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, benefits, performance management, and compliance. This position balances hands‑on HR operations with advisory responsibilities and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives across the HR function.

Responsibilities

Employee & Manager Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact and trusted HR resource for employees and managers regarding HR policies, procedures, and employment‑related matters.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on routine employee relations issues, escalating complex matters as appropriate.
• Support or lead employee relations activities including investigations, documentation, corrective action, and conflict resolution.
• Maintain accurate and compliant employee records while always ensuring confidentiality and discretion.
• Partner with managers on workforce changes including onboarding, transfers, leaves, and offboarding.

Recruitment & Onboarding Support

• Assist with job postings, interview scheduling, reference checks, and offer letter preparation.
• End to end ownership responsibility to coordinate new hire onboarding activities including system access, orientation scheduling, and documentation completion.
• Ensure all pre-employment and onboarding requirements are completed accurately and on time. Responsible to review and adjudicate background check for all candidates prior to hire.
• Manage process of acquiring, managing, and exiting contract/temporary employees.
• Ensure documentation is complete and compliant for all Driver Qualification files upon hire.

Benefits & Payroll Coordination

• Support benefits administration by assisting with enrollments, changes, terminations, and responding to routine employee questions.
• Coordinate benefit documentation and consult with benefits vendors as required.
• Support payroll processes by submitting accurate employee data changes and assisting with audits and reconciliations.
• Manage Workers’ Compensation claims, Short Term and Long-Term Disabilities, medicals, accommodations, and leave-related follow-up.

HR Systems & Reporting

• Enter and maintain employee data in HRIS systems (e.g., Workday).
• Generate standard HR reports related to headcount, turnover, training, and compliance and ad hoc reports as requested.
• Support data integrity through regular audits and validation of HR records.

Compliance & Documentation

• Apply working knowledge of employment legislation, company policies, and employment standards applicable to the U.S. and Canada.
• Ensure HR practices, documentation, and record retention meet legal and corporate requirements.
• Support compliance audits, reporting, and internal controls.

HR Programs & Initiatives

• Coordinate logistics for HR programs such as training sessions, engagement initiatives, and performance management cycles.
• Administer employee communications related to HR programs, policies, and initiatives.
• Provide administrative support for cyclical HR processes including performance reviews, engagement surveys, and policy updates.
• Participate in regional or enterprise HR projects as assigned.

General Projects and Support

• Support the Human Resources team with administrative tasks, scheduling, meeting coordination, and special projects.
• Support the Human Resources Manager with projects, analysis, and implementation of HR initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Process Improvement & Special Projects

• Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, documentation, and onboarding practices.
• Provide insights and ideas to enhance HR best practices and elevate the HR value proposition.
• Complete additional tasks, duties, and special projects as assigned.

Your Profile

Skills

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, multi‑region environment.
• Confident communicator (written and verbal) capable of advising employees and leaders at varying levels.
• Sound judgment and problem‑solving, critical‑thinking skills.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to influence and build trust.

Experience/ Education

• Post-secondary education or diploma in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• <4 years of experience in an HR role preferred.
• Working toward an HR designation (SHRM in the U.S.) considered an asset.
• Experience using an HRIS (Workday preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to manage data accurately and maintain organized electronic and physical files.

Our Offer

We aim to create an environment where the best people want to work, where they can turn their passion into their job and realize their full potential.

• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers.
• Paid parental leave
• Education assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Various healthcare plan options as well as 401(k)

Brenntag and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to any category protected by federal, state or local law, including as applicable, applicant’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical condition), genetic information, military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, parental status, expunged juvenile record, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Brenntag will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a test or job interview) if so requested. When completing this application, you may exclude information that would disclose or otherwise reference your race, religion, age, sex, genetic, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This application is considered current for sixty (60) days only. At the end of this period, if you are still interested in employment, it will be necessary for you to reapply by completing a new application.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [e-mail] (phone, tty, fax, email, etc.).

Brenntag North America, Inc. and its subsidiaries use E-Verify, a government-run, web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. For more information, please go to https://www.e-verify.gov/employees or view the poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster.pdf.

Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.

Brenntag TA Team